Chapter 31 - it has begun

As Nicholas led John to the training ground, he couldn't help but ask, "So kid, what weapon do you use?"

"In normal circumstances, I would use the spear, but the Duke has forbidden me from using it. He says my body isn't capable of handling my level of skill right now," John replied, looking at Nicholas.

"I see. Well, I'm sure in that case, he would have suggested a substitute weapon, right?" Nicholas asked, looking at John curiously.

"He was about to start teaching me how to use a sword, but then this happened," John said, nodding his head.

"I see, so you basically know nothing right now," Nicholas said, nodding in understanding.

"Well, yes," John admitted.

"And how is the Duke training you?" Nicholas asked.

"In the morning, he makes me shovel snow and run up and down a hill. As you can see here, I'm supposed to have weighted bracers on at all times, and in the evening, we spar," John explained.

"Ahhh, classic. Same stuff I used with him," Nicholas said, smiling widely.

John couldn't manage to speak a word, still trying to make sense of the whole situation.

"Okay then, I can assume he is using the same method to train you as I trained him," Nicholas asked, not letting John speak a word.

"Ah, yes," John confirmed.

"I don't suppose he has created an optimized routine for you quite yet?" Nicholas asked.

"No, not yet. I've only been training with him for the past two days," John said, shaking his head lightly.

"I see. How long have you been in the North again?" Nicholas asked as they arrived at the gates of the training room.

"Close to three days now," John replied.

"No wonder he has yet to create a proper routine for you," Nicholas said as he gestured for one of the guards to open the door.

"Well, for now, since it's only time for your morning training and I have little to no details of how your body functions and how good you are, you can just follow the Duke's program," the old marshal continued.

"I would need a hill for that," John said with a confused look on his face.

"Don't worry about that. We have plenty of those here," Nicholas said, pointing out of the castle at a series of hilly forests, some tall, some short.

"I see," John muttered, eyeing the especially tall hills that Nicholas was pointing at.

"Well then, I suppose you will need a shovel," Nicholas said, looking at John with a smile.

"We will gather intelligence on the enemy's movements and strengths, while protecting our home front by setting up defenses around our castle and key locations," one of the generals began, his voice steady and confident. "We will identify key chokepoints, such as mountain passes and river crossings, and set up ambushes and obstacles to slow down and weaken the enemy."

The other generals nodded in agreement, their expressions determined.

"Secondly, we will use magic and magical creatures to our advantage. Mages will cast spells to confuse or weaken the enemy, and creatures such as dragons or griffins can be used to launch surprise attacks. We will coordinate with allies, if possible, to launch coordinated attacks and share resources."

The grand duke leaned forward, intrigued by their plan. "And what about obstacles on the ground?"

"In addition to the above strategies, we will use tactical measures to impede the enemy's advance," the same general continued. "We will make trenches in their path, fill them with spikes, and drop fire from above. We will dig holes to prevent the enemy's beasts of burden from reaching us as easily. These obstacles will slow down and weaken the enemy, giving us an advantage."

The room was silent for a moment as the generals took a deep breath.

"Finally, we will maintain mobility by keeping our forces light and agile," another general added. "We will use hit-and-run tactics to harass and disrupt the enemy's supply lines and communication networks. Our goal is not to defeat the enemy in a single battle, but to weaken them over time and force them to retreat. With patience, discipline, and bravery, we can successfully defend our land against these barbarian invaders."

The grand duke nodded, impressed by their strategy. "So, I assume we have settled on a plan then?"

"Yes, your majesty," the generals said in unison.

The grand duke smiled, feeling reassured by the expertise of his generals. "Good work. Let us move forward with this plan and defend our land with all that we have."

Dante addressed his generals, his voice full of authority, "Edmund, I want you and your battalion of scouts to scout out a 10-mile radius around the castle and gather intelligence on the enemy's movements." His eyes landed on a tall, skinny man with black hair dressed in rogue attire.

"Yes, your majesty," Edmund replied, rising from his seat to bow before sitting back down.

"Cedric, your light cavalry unit will engage with the enemy at random intervals to keep them on their toes," the grand duke added, turning his attention to a well-built man with blond hair in knight armor.

"Understood, your highness," Cedric said, mirroring Edmund's actions.

"The two of you must coordinate well, so carry a communication crystal with you at all times," Dante instructed, pointing to both Edmund and Cedric.

"We understand," the generals replied, their responses curt and efficient.

"Gottfried, your entire mage battalion will be attached to my unit, and we will be attacking the enemy from above," Dante continued, addressing a mage whose face was obscured by his robe.

*******

A while later after assigning roles to each of his generals, Dante dismissed them, "Well, now that all of you know what you have to do, prepare to the best of your ability and meet me outside the castle. DISMISSED!"

The generals responded in unison, "Sir, yes sir," before swiftly leaving the room to meet with their battalion members. By the time the meeting had ended, all the troops had arrived at the bastion, ready for the upcoming battle.

The sun was high in the sky when the grand duke's army stood before him, an imposing force from wyvern knights to men at arms, each soldier gazed at their leader with a fierce determination as he addressed them.

"We all knew this conflict was unavoidable, and I know for a fact that this will be a long and hard battle for all of us. I cannot guarantee that all of us will return here today, but no matter what, we will not let a single inch of our fatherland fall into the hands of the enemy," the grand duke declared, his voice carrying the weight of his conviction.

With a solemn nod, he raised his sword above his head, and the soldiers responded with a resounding chant.

"Vae victis!"

Meanwhile, in the emperor's office within the palace, a man knelt before the throne with the emblem of the Valeria dukedom etched onto his pauldrons.

"Your Imperial Majesty, the Duke has sent a message for you," the man said, bowing his head in respect.